Interlude: Droneacharya

For the leader of the League of Reform, frustration was part of daily life.

He only needed to look at a news site. Violence. Corruption. Inefficiency. All simple, solvable problems that were never addressed, because of the all-pervasive miasma that suffused every democratic nation:

Stupidity.

Beggars on the streets, a hundred and thirty years after Independence. Easily solved by offering them free low-cost housing and low-wage employment - both of which were government schemes. But no, there had to be a massive amount of hand-wringing, up to the point where no action was taken. Stupidity.

Private school fee hikes and protesting parents. All that needed was to enroll the children in any one of a hundred free government schools - which were required to take the students - and for the parents to pool their funds and hire a dozen teachers to supplement the shortfalls in education. But no, people had to file cases and drag the matter out in courts, even though their children would have graduated long before the cases were settled.

Speaking of courts - eighty million legal cases waiting for resolution, because there weren’t enough judges. And the courts refused to use AI. Stupidity. 

From what he’d seen, most AI models were smarter than the average judge. And they didn’t take six weeks of summer holidays each year. 

Despite this, the public accepted it as normal. Stupidity.

Then again, even his own subordinates could fall afoul of the same sin. A prime example of which sat before him, grumbling.

“How did Belessar figure out the bomb?” he asked mildly.

Before him, Mahaplumber shrugged. “No clue. Maybe he is a precog, as well.”

“I’m more concerned about him probing your mind. You were the only person there who knew of it.”

“I didn’t feel any of the effects. No headaches, no change in my emotions, and I had the blocker on throughout. Assuming it worked.”

“I’m going to assume you didn’t just question my technology,” Droneacharya said. The words were enough to make the other ultrahuman flinch. “It would still have been acceptable if you had been the one to deactivate the bomb.”

“I was waiting,” Mahaplumber replied defensively. “As we’d planned, the PM was supposed to get word of the bomb, and then I would act. Flood the place, wash the bomb away in a torrent of water. I had complete control of the main pipeline.”

“Instead, Belessar’s reputation gets another boost. And you are still seen as the man who cleans the sewers, not a hero who saved the people.”

“Another chance,” Mahaplumber said desperately. “Give me another chance - this time without Belessar or any of the others present. I won’t mess it up.”

“Part of the reason we picked this event was to create a positive perception of you in the mind of Belessar. And Indradhanush, who despite his youth is part of the Skyguard Fifty.” Droneacharya steepled his fingers. “Having them speak up in our favour will matter, when the time comes for us to replace the government.”

“I can work on them. Give me time.”

“Can you tell me we lack as a movement, Mahaplumber?”

The ultra swallowed. “A charismatic popular leader. One who is respected by the people. Who can be the face of the movement.”

“A saviour,” said Droneacharya. “A person who the public will follow blindly, if needed. That was to be … you. The reluctant hero, who steps up when the need is greatest. All triggered by your actions, in saving others.” Droneacharya sighed. “So much for that plan.”

“I can still help….”

“Yes, yes,” said Droneacharya. “You will strive to do better next time. I’ve heard it all before.” His gaze went to the other ultra in the room. “Twinsight?”

“The Home Ministry is scurrying like a bunch of terrified ants,” replied the precog. “Chowdhary is particularly wroth with the police personnel, for having swept the site and still missed the bomb. They suspect a Master brainwashed one of the personnel.”

“Any suspicion on us?”

“None, actually. For which we have Belessar to thank.”

“How so?”

“The attacks on the Aerovascar supply line. It’s being assumed this was done by the same group.”

“Are they any closer to finding the group?”

“Hardly. Also, Belessar has now added more chaos to the mix. Apparently he’s investigating some sort of conspiracy abducting college-age students, and the police ignored him.”

Droneacharya raised an eyebrow. “Some cops ignored Belessar?”

“Supposedly the constable at the station didn’t recognize him. Sent him to the local bribe collection outlet.”

“Fascinating. How did this come up?”

“Belessar mentioned it to Narayanswamy.”

“That is certainly one way to get a response.”

“The station-in-charge, the local commissioner, and every officer in the chain of command up to the rank of Senior Superintendent have been transferred. Chowdhary wants them in more picturesque locations, like the middle of the Thar desert or the wilds of rural Bihar.”

“And the investigation?”

“So far, the Home Ministry believes there are two separate conspiracies - the Aerovascar derailers, who are also linked with the bomb, and the international traffickers, who are abducting people for their own nefarious purposes. No-one suspects us, but the investigators could stumble upon us if we aren’t careful.”

“Plant doubt in their minds. I shall work on a different approach.” Droneacharya sighed. “It’s time I met Belessar again.”